Student visa rules are under review.

What I check first. Those two decide how many points she can still add. At 31 her age scores 30 federally and 270 in Victoria's test. At 33 it falls to 25 federally (minus 5) and 240 in Victoria (minus 30). Her age will not wait for her.

The options. Her English is Proficient: 10 federally and 100 in Victoria. Superior would add 10 and 100. That is the one thing she can still change. So we book the English test before anything else. A 190 nomination adds 5 points.

Age and English. Victoria published its 2026 to 2027 test on 13 October and opened subclass 190 registrations on 26 October. The registration fee is A$60 and a nomination is A$180 (A$66 and A$198 with GST). Registrations from earlier years don't carry over.

My caution. I cannot promise an invitation. Victoria opened subclass 190 registrations on 26 October 2026 with 900 places, and many people will register. The English test was simply the best use of her time.

What I check first. Needing up to 12 more months with the same provider is one of the few cases where a current student can still lodge in Australia. So I check his exact dates, his provider and his course level before I say anything.

The options. If the exemption applies, lodge in Australia with the new confirmation of enrolment or the provider's extension letter. If a leave of absence pushes him past 12 months, the answer changes.

Age and English. Rahim is 24. When he turns 25 he moves into the 30-point age band on the federal test. His Proficient English scores 10 federally and 100 in Victoria. None of this affects the visa today. It shapes what he does after graduating.

My caution. Dates decide this. One extra month on the wrong side of the line changes the whole plan. I would rather check twice than guess.

What I check first. The Temporary Residence Transition stream needs two years full-time on the 482. Since 1 July 2026 the salary floor is A$79,423 and the visa charge is A$6,140. I check his dates and his pay.

The options. Lodge as soon as he qualifies, and check early whether anything else, such as a skills assessment, applies to him. Priority sectors and onshore applicants have been processed first since 19 September 2026.

Age and English. At 43 his federal age score is 15, but this stream is not points-tested, so it does not count against him. The 45-year line is close, so I plan the lodgement around his birthday.

My caution. Two years full-time means two years full-time. A long unpaid gap can change the answer. I check his payslips first.